How to Add a Google Business Listing

One of the most important things you can do as a local business owner is to add or verify your Google Business Listing. You can do this whether you have a website or not.

By adding and verifying your Google business listing, you have a better chance of showing up in the local search results on Google.

Did you know that 97% of consumers do research online when considering a purchase in a local establishment. This is a big deal! Your business needs to be at the forefront of that search – with details to draw the customer in.

This short video tutorial shows you how to add a brand new Google business listing and highlights the important components of a high-quality listing:

Video Transcription

Hello and welcome to Gnome Tips! Today we’ll show you how to add your Google Business Listing and optimize it for Google Search.

If you’ve performed a search for a local business in Google, you’ve seen local search results. They are the listings with a pushpin next to them. As you can see, these take up a good bit of prime real estate on the screen.

Showing up in the first set of local search results is key to getting traffic to your website. There are many factors that determine how well a given business ranks, but one important factor is to make sure your business is listed and verified in Google Places.

This can be done in three easy steps.

Step 1: Create a Master Business Listing

Before adding or updating your business listing on Google Places, you should create a Master Business Listing. This is to ensure that your information matches what you have on your website and on various online directories.

It can be as simple as a spreadsheet like this one.

Step 2: Add or Update Your Google Business Listing

Make sure you’re logged in to the Google account you want to use to manage your Google business listing and go to www.google.com/places/.

Click the “Get Started” button under “Get your business found on Google.”

Enter the main phone number for your business and click “Find business information.”

In this case, the businesses does not yet exist in Google Places, so it takes us directly to the business listing form. If the business was already listed, but not verified, you would have an option to edit your listing.

Fill in the required information. The more information you enter, the better.

Make sure the address and phone information matches what you have on your website and select categories that make sense to your prospects.

Google especially likes photos and videos. You can upload up to 10 images.

The additional details allow you to add any addition information that makes your business stand out above the competition. In this case, we’ve highlighted Brenda’s certifications and that evening appointments are available.

Click “Submit.”

Step 3: Verify Your Google Business Listing

Google wants to make sure that you are the true business owner. This is done through a verification process. There are two options: Phone call and postcard.

In this case, we’re only seeing the postcard option due to the fact that we are using an out-of-town cell phone number. When we do the final listing for this company, we will use a landline.

Now – go make sure your Google business listing is verified!!

Thanks for watching this edition of Gnome Tips. For more information about local search marketing, visit our website at www.webgnomes.org.

All local businesses advertising online should make it a priority to have a Google business listing. I gather that Google has recently decided to replace Places with Google Plus Local to integrate G+ into Google Places. This may sound like Google simply wants more people actively using Google+, but this may help businesses get their products or services exposed to a more social, wider network.